Roy Phillips / Senior / Martel
Anderson Roy Phillips has three first names, four languages under his belt, and one focus: to make your O-Week experience the best it can possibly be. Roy is a senior pursuing a major in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Neuroscience, so that he can better understand how big brains, like his own, work. He’s originally from (the real) Scranton, Pennsylvania, so you can ask him about all of the things The Office gets wrong. When he’s not doing homework, you can find Roy doing Neuroscience research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, watching movies with his friends, or playing for the Rice Club Baseball team (where he’s also the team president). While managing all of this, Roy somehow manages to still make time for those around him, bringing a thoughtful, curious, and empathetic ear to any conversation he enters. Get ready for an amazing O-Week with Roy—he can’t wait to meet you! 🙂
Lauren Ma / Junior / Martel
Have you ever had a friend who gets you to stop in the street to admire the intricate details of a building you’ve passed, which you’d hardly noticed? Who is a Ted Mosby in real life and flexes on the history of architecture. Or someone who could discuss the current state of global politics with you…in French? Someone whose trash you want to frame and hang up in your room as curated art? Someone you can campaign with to help end extreme poverty? Someone you can dance all night with while obsessing over Korean movie stars? When you become friends with Lauren Ma, you’ve now got all of these people in your life. Hailing all the way from Beijing, China, this junior architecture and art history major is the perfect blend of sophistication, creativity, intelligence and laughter who you need in your life asap! The only place you can find her on campus though, is Anderson Hall. Make sure to visit her imprisoned soul, and maybe bring a double iced Americano for her, because she likes it bitter, just as the archi life. Lauren is the coolest person to hang out with, and she will get your future mansion/apartment/crib designed as good as Architecture Digest’s dream homes(probably better).
Ankit Patel / Sophomore / Martel
Ankit Patel is a sophomore from Washington D.C.. Before coming to Rice in the Class of 2023, he went to Sidwell Friends School, and he actually knows Sasha Obama. While his major is technically undecided, Ankit is interested in Mathematical Economic Analysis, Statistics, and Classical Studies. He is an engaged member of many sports teams on campus, including Club Baseball, and, more importantly, has starred on Martel’s freshman Men’s IM basketball team with his limitless three-point range. He is an avid fan of all sports, and his
favorite teams are the Washington Nationals, Chicago Bears, and Indiana Hoosiers. He is an active participant in Martel’s social scene, as part of some of Martel’s committees and its student government, and is super approachable. Additionally, he loves reading (favorite book: Catch 22), working out (you can find him at the Rec almost every day), and watching war movies (Full Metal Jacket for the win).
Dani Morgen/ Junior / Duncan
If you ever wondered which Rice student represents California best, Dani Morgen is who you should refer to. This class of 2022 Duncaroo is an avocado worshipping, fitness loving, American sushi stan with the personality of sunshine. Just like Fergi’s magnum opus Fergalicious, you can catch Dani “be up in the gym just working on [her] fitness” after a long day of studying
organic chemistry (rip). She’s incredibly caring and usually the “mom friend” of the group, which explains her obsession with babies. All jokes aside, you are really lucky to have this pre-PA school, Kinesiology major as your advisor. Dani is the most kind, fun, and supportive person I’ve ever met, and there’s no doubt she’s going to be as good as an advisor as she is a best friend to me.